Flyers clinch last playoff spot in Eastern Conference
The Philadelphia Flyers are heading back to the postseason for the first time since 2020 after defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in a shootout on Monday.
Tyson Foerster scored in the shootout before Dan Vladar stopped Alexander Nikishin to punch Philadelphia's playoff ticket.
TYSON FOERSTER SCORES, DAN VLADAR MAKES THE SAVE, AND THE PHILADELPHIA FLYERS ARE IN THE #STANLEYCUP PLAYOFFS 🤩 pic.twitter.com/NJA50KUJTK
— NHL (@NHL) April 14, 2026
With Philadelphia snatching the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets are now eliminated from postseason contention.
The Flyers are locked into the No. 3 seed in the Metropolitan Division, which guarantees a first-round matchup with their in-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The series will mark the first Battle of Pennsylvania since 2018, when the Penguins defeated the Flyers in six games in Round 1.
The Hurricanes also clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference by earning a point in the shootout loss, securing home-ice advantage through the first three rounds of the postseason. They'll play the lower seed between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators in Round 1.